AVENGED SEVENFOLD

Avenged Sevenfold was still in high school when they formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California. The band debuted in July 2001 with Sounding the Seventh Trumpet (Good Life), and followed two years later with the Hopeless release Waking the Fallen before jumping to Warner Bros for June 2005's City of Evil. Recently M. Shadows' vocal styling has changed more to focus on melodic singing than on hardcore screaming, due to the band's desire to change the direction of their music. Shadows had minor throat surgery in 2004, but this did not affect their decision to change musical styles. The band's name is an alleged reference to the book of Genesis in the Bible and the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain is punished to live forever in exile, alone and miserable. Anyone who relieved Cain of his misery by killing him would be "avenged sevenfold," or punished in a way that is seven times worse than Cain's punishment. The title of Avenged Sevenfold's song "Chapter Four" references Genesis IV, the chapter of the Bible in which the story of Cain and Abel takes place. The song's subject also appears to be this story. Although the band's title and members' stage names make obvious reference to religion, Shadows stated in a recent interview that they are "not really religious at all." Though the name comes from the bible and some members went to catholic school, the band is not very religious at all. Save for their mock metal names.

A7X



M. Shadows - vocals/lead singer
-real name: Mattew Charles Sanders
-born: July 31st 1981, Huntington Beach, California
-previous member of punk band called 'Sucessful Failure'
-instruments:vocals, piano, guitar



Synyster Gates - lead guitar
-real name: Brian Elwin Haner Jr.
-born: July 7, 1981, Huntington Beach, California
-instruments:guitar, piano, organ, keyboards
-currently endorsed by Schecter Guitar Research guitars
-if not all, most of his guitars are custom made



Zacky Vengeance - guitar/back up vocals
-real name:Zachary James Baker
-born: December 11, 1981
-former member of punk band called MPA
-guitars:Schecter Guitars
-All guitars are loaded with Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbuckers.
-left handed and self taught on how to play guitar


Johnny Christ - bass
-real name: Jonathan Lewis Seward
-born:November 18, 1984, making him the youngest
-height: 5'7"
-basses:Ernie Ball Musicman Basses


The Rev - drums/backing vocalist
-name short for The Reverend Tholomew Plague
-real name:James 'Jimmy' Owen Sullivan
-born:February 10, 1981
-instruments: drums, guitar, piano, bass
-former drummer of third-wave ska band Suburban Legends, took part in the band Ballistico as their guitarist and vocalist, drummer/vocalist for Avenged Sevenfold side project Pinkly Smooth.
-favorite bands: Rancid, The Transplants, Slayer, Organized Riot


Discography
1. Sounding the Seventh Trumpet (2001)

2. Waking the Fallen (2003)

3. City of Evil (2005)

4. Avenged Sevenfold (2007)


Singles
Warmness on the Soul (2001)
Unholy Confessions (2004)
Burn It Down (2005)
Bat Country (2005)
Beast and the Harlot (2006)
Seize the Day (2006)
Walk (2006)
Critical Acclaim (2007)
Almost Easy (2007)
Afterlife (2008)
Dear God (2008)

Music Videos
Bat Country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiHZZ-OJp5o
Beast and the Harlot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWPQ-bssAys
Seize the Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZqxl57PeL8&feature=related
Almost Easy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl8CJZny1as
Afterlife
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8akxHCUBLk